Umamusume devs have revealed how they develop each character and what unique factors they consider in the process.
Before Umamusume, I didn’t have the slightest clue about horse racing. Everything changed when I finally jumped into the game and started watching the anime. All of a sudden, I’m cheering for Haru Urara, who’s known for being the “shining star of losers everywhere.”
The beauty of Umamusume is that the cast isn’t full of just random characters. These girls are based on actual real-life racehorses, each with unique and distinct personalities that make them interesting.
Given that Cygames has to ensure these characters stay respectful to their real-life counterparts, one has to wonder: how exactly do they do it while delivering a compelling story at the same time? Well, we spoke to them to find out.
Umamusume devs explain the process behind writing the characters
As the developers told us, there’s a lot of research involved in developing each and every character.
“For Umamusume, we carefully research each real-life racehorse that serves as a model for our characters. This includes looking into their racing history, notable stories, and what they mean to the people connected to them,” they explained.
With this information, they then “thoughtfully develop each character to capture their unique backgrounds.
“Our aim is to create scenarios and game designs that are enjoyable not only for those familiar with the original racehorses, but also engaging for players who may not know about them,” devs added.
Additionally, devs also admitted that they always had a deep interest in horse racing and the “rich culture surrounding it.
“What especially moved us were the dramatic stories that each racehorse carries—stories that go far beyond their racing records. We wanted to share these emotional narratives with a wider audience.”
Their passion inspired them to consider whether they could reinvent these stories into “a new kind of entertainment.”
Real-life quirks, struggles, and legacies reflected in-game
There are plenty of examples that show how the devs’ philosophy comes through in the final product. Not just in personality and storylines, but also in gameplay.
In real life, Gold Ship was a brilliant horse. The catch? He’s unpredictable and does things according to his mood. He could dominate races or completely throw them away, depending on how he’s feeling at the moment.
That same chaos is faithfully reflected in Umamusume, where her training campaign challenges you with a plethora of hurdles and unexpected twists, making her one of the most unpredictable Umas to raise.
In contrast to Gold Ship’s unpredictable antics, the game also isn’t afraid to explore more bittersweet stories, Rice Shower being a prime example. While the Takarazuka Kinen is usually run at Hanshin Racecourse, her scenario shifts it to Kyoto, the site of her final real-life race.
“By making adjustments like this, our goal is to allow fans to experience the victory they had always dreamed of for their beloved horse. Through making careful adjustments like this within the training system, we strive to honor every horse’s unique legacy,” devs explained.
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